Age: 53
Number of Roles: 70
Biggest Films: Beetlejuice, Batman
Awards:
- Nomination Golden Globe – 2003 – Live From Baghdad
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards – 1982 – Best Actor for Night Shift
- National Society of Film Critics’ Awards – 1988 – Best Actor Beetlejuice and Clean and Sober
Debut Role: First role was in TV in 1975 in an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood. While first film role was in Joan River’s which stared Billy Crystal ‘Rabbit Test’ (1978).
Night Shift
Early Career: In the mid-70s Michael’s career started, he did a string of television roles and TV movies. In 1982 he got his first major film role in ‘Night Shift’ this opened the doors for roles for him. Following this up from that he did ‘Mr. Mom’, ‘Gung Ho’, ‘Touch and Go’ and ‘The Squeeze’. In 1988 things he got his big break.
Television Roles:
- Mister Rogers Neighbourhood (75)
- Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (77)
- Maude (77)
- All’s Fair (77) 5 Episodes
- The Tony Randall Show (78) 2 Episodes
- Working Stiffs (79) 9 Episodes
- The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (79) 11 Episodes
- Report to Murphy (82) 6 Episodes
- The Simpsons (2001)
- Frasier (2002)
- King of the Hill (2003)
- Gary the Rat (2003)
- The Company (2007) 6 Episodes
- 30 Rock (2011) 2 Episodes
Break Out Role: Beetlejuice, this Tim Burton directed film put Michael in the limelight and it is still considered one of the best comedies of all time.
Beetlejuice
Batman with the Joker
Jackie Brown
Career: Also in 1988 came ‘Clean and Sober’ which got him an award for his work. After ‘The Dream Team’ Michael reunited with Tim Burton for arguable his most famous role ‘Batman’ and he would also come back for the first sequel ‘Batman Returns’. While I am unfamiliar with some of the films in the 90s in 1997 Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Jackie Brown’ offered a new lease of life and role which he reprised in a small part in ‘Out of Sight’. Playing the dark serial killer in ‘Desperate Measures’ opposite Andy Garcia and much loved Christmas tear jerker ‘Jack Frost’ showed his ability to change genre with ease.
Herbie: Fully Loaded
Ken
2000 – 2010: This decade was a string of live action films that could easily be forgotten ‘First Daughter’ ‘White Noise’ ‘Herbie: Fully Loaded’ and ‘Post Grad’. It was his voice over work that is from the most memorable films including ‘Cars’ and as Ken in ‘Toy Story 3’.
Recent Years: It wasn’t until 2014 where he made the first steps to a comeback with supporting roles in remake ‘RoboCop’ and video game adaptation ‘Need For Speed’.
Next Big Role: Birdman could put Michael back on the map as a true star this year, it is already getting great reviews and is on many film fans must see films for the end of 2014.
Birdman
My Favourite Role: Beetlejuice
My Least Favourite Role: I honestly don’t dislike any of the roles I have seen of his.
Films I Want to See That I Haven’t Seen: Birdman, Clean and Sober
Stars They Work With Often: Has been directed by Tim Burton 3 times.